Natembeya in court over graft claims, denies charges
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to multiple corruption charges involving over Sh6 million in alleged irregular payments tied to county contracts.
He appeared before Magistrate Charles Ondieki at the Anti-Corruption Court following his overnight detention at the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) cells.
According to the charge sheet, Governor Natembeya is facing three counts including unlawful acquisition of public property, conflict of interest, and indirectly benefiting from public funds.
The prosecution alleges that between January 1, 2023, and April 30, 2025, the governor acquired an indirect pecuniary interest in county payments made to companies linked to him.
The governor is accused of benefiting from transactions between the County Government of Trans Nzoia and one Mercy Chelangat, director of Lyma Agro Science and proprietor of Maira Store.
Both entities allegedly had active business dealings with the county.
The prosecution claimed that Natembeya unlawfully received a total of Sh3,252,568 through payments made to Lyma Agro Science, Maira Store, and Easterly Winds Limited—all companies said to have links to him.
During Tuesday’s session, State Prosecutor Alex Akhula opposed Natembeya’s bail application, citing ongoing investigations and the risk of witness interference.
“There are compelling reasons to deny bail, including the likelihood of tampering with evidence, witness intimidation, and concerns over public safety,” Akhula told the court.
He added that vital documents had gone missing during a recent incident in which EACC vehicles were vandalized, implying that key evidence may have been compromised.
“The witnesses in this case are his juniors—individuals employed under his administration. Releasing him at this stage would pose a serious risk to the integrity of the case,” Akhula submitted.
The prosecution said there are ongoing investigations and that the governor, through his agents, attacked EACC and DCI officers and vandalised their vehicles.
The prosecution says that the matter was reported at Kitale police station.
They said that the officers were carrying out their duties by searching premises pursuant to a court order when they were attacked by Natembeya’s agents.
In response, Natembeya’s legal team dismissed the prosecution’s claims as baseless and politically motivated.
Lead defence counsel argued that the affidavit presented by the state lacked factual evidence and was grounded in mere speculation.
“Between now and 2027, we anticipate the judicial system being used to intimidate political opponents,” the lawyer submitted. “We urge the court not to fall into this trap. The allegations are nothing more than a political witch-hunt.”
Natembeya’s lawyers further contended that in the absence of concrete evidence, the court should disregard the prosecution’s averments and grant the governor bail.
Natembeya denied four graft charges, including conflict of interest and unlawful acquisition of public funds.
The magistrate was set to make a ruling later on Tuesday May 20, 2025.